AI Leadership Unplugged: Balancing Innovation and Execution
Leadership in AI/ML is as much about managing complexity as it is about fostering innovation. AI leaders must navigate a landscape where data science, engineering, and operational disciplines intersect. They frequently have to bridge the gap between research and production, balancing innovation with scalability, and fostering team collaboration. AI product and platform development is non-trivial and typically requires building prototypes, adapting and evolving them for production, while maintaining agility in an ever-changing field. Join Tariq King as he shares lessons learned from leading a cross-functional AI/ML team at a Google-backed startup. Come and learn how strong leadership, clear vision, transparency, and a culture of experimentation empowers AI teams to push the boundaries of what's possible while delivering real-world impact. Take home real-world lessons on how to best lead AI initiatives while balancing innovation and execution.
Tariq King is a recognized thought-leader in software quality engineering. He is currently the CEO and Head of Test IO, an EPAM company that specializes in crowdsourced and professional testing, development, and automation services. Tariq has over fifteen years' professional experience in the software industry, and has formerly held positions including VP of Product-Services, Chief Scientist, Head of Quality, Quality Engineering Director, Software Engineering Manager, and Principal Architect. He holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science from Florida International University, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Florida Tech. He has published over 40 research articles in peer-reviewed IEEE and ACM journals, conferences, and workshops, and has written book chapters and technical reports for Springer, O'Reilly, IGI Global, and more. Tariq has been an international keynote speaker and trainer at leading software conferences in industry and academia, and serves on multiple conference boards and program committees. Outside of work, Tariq is an electric car enthusiast who enjoys playing video games and traveling the world with his wife and kids.